If the prospect of two weeks being whisked around beautiful Caribbean island beaches, coconut cocktail in hand, doesn’t seem quite relaxing enough – many of the sea’s top cruise ships play host to world class spas.
Here are ten of the best sea-faring spas, complete with incredible treatments and features. Check out these amazing cruise ship spas and see if you can only pick one!
AquaSpa
Ships: Celebrity Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette & Reflection
Passengers aboard the five ships of Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class have access to the exceptional AquaSpa facilities which extend far beyond the massage table and cucumber slices. The ships all offer AquaClass spa cabins and two health-focussed eateries, AquaSpa Café and Blu. This means you can eat, sleep and relax in beautiful spa surroundings. The AquaClass cabins come with spa-inspired bathroom products, bespoke showerheads, healthy room service menu and exclusive entry to the Persian Garden steam room.
Vitality@Sea
Ships: Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas & Liberty of the Seas
Royal Caribbean don’t do things by half measures, accounting for many of the largest liners at sea, and their approach to spa facilities is no different. The three ships of the Freedom Class all benefit from enormous gym complexes complete with amazing spa retreats. Treatments in the spas include Swedish and hot stone massages, reflexology, body wraps and even professional acupuncture.
With a strong focus on appealing to the family, the spa also offers treatments for 13 to 17 year olds including ‘acne attack’ (an oxygen treatment) and ‘surfer scrub’.
Canyon Ranch SpaClub
Ship: Cunard Queen Mary 2
Cunard sets itself apart from the competition by shamelessly glorying in the exalted heyday of cruising. Celebrating the exclusivity of cruise holidays of yesteryear and the company’s distinctively British heritage, Cunard go to great lengths to ensure all their services offer luxury and deliver above and beyond expectations. This runs throughout the spa, with staff offering a staggering level of knowledge and expertise. The spa offers Ashiatsu massage, the Asian form of massage wherein a masseuse will hang room a bar attached to the ceiling and massage your back with his/her feet.
Samsara Spa
Ships: Costa Serena, Pacifica & Luminosa
Costa Cruises has, perhaps more than any other cruise company, shown a dedication to sea-based spa holidays, basing entire itineraries and ships around health and relaxation. The Serena, Pacifica and Luminosa all offer the on-board complete spa package which includes a cacophony of treatments, fitness classes, a personal consultation and three meals a day in the health-conscious Ristorante Samsara.
Vitality Spa & Fitness Centre
Ships: Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas & Anthem of the Seas
The two ships of Royal Caribbean’s upcoming Quantum Class aren’t taking to the seas until November this year and Spring 2015, but are already causing quite a splash with their incredible range of ‘first-at-sea’ features and this extends to the comprehensive spas on board both ships. Alongside the traditional family-friendly spa facilities is the adult-only Solarium: a blissful retreat complete with Jacuzzis, sun spots and adjoining bistro. The Vitality Spa is the perfect place for a couple of hours away from the kids.
You can be amongst the first to enjoy the first to enjoy these facilities with Cruise1st offering exclusive deals on both Quantum of the Seas’ and Anthem of the Seas’ inaugural cruises.
The Spa at Seabourn
Ships: Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn & Quest
Seabourn operates smaller scale ships than its competitors, offering more personalised, luxurious itineraries. This personal touch elevates the spa significantly, offering passengers unrivalled attention and dedication. The company’s three newest ships all play host to two-deck spas, offering everything from a Kinesis wall to Finnish saunas. Each of the ships also offer treatments in Spa Villas – relaxation rooms with oversized tubs and day beds.
Crystal Spa and Salon
Ships: Crystal Symphony & Serenity
The spas aboard the Symphony and Serenity have been designed with an incredible Feng Shui flair, flowing through the interior of the ship and out onto the deck. The canopied teak sun deck and floating bed suite make up a luxuriously exotic spa. The interior treatment room offers everything from acupuncture to salt and ginger scrubs.
Aurea Spa
Ships: MSC Splendida
A unique Bali-themed spa room offers a full range of treatments for body and mind complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, providing beautiful seascape views. On offer are a number of traditional Balinese treatments such as thalassotherapy and hot lava stone massage. The original Bali Massage is the perfect way to spend the day after a long excursion.
Mandara Spa
Ships: Norwegian Epic
The third largest ship on the seas, the Norwegian Epic, plays host to a Mandara Spa – one of 50 on land and sea. The Epic’s incarnation includes a Hydrotherapy Courtyard and Thermal Suite, complete with tropical garden and a waterfall-laden pool. Warmed volcanic stones, shipped from the islands of Hawaii are used in a bespoke massage treatment, perfect for sore and tired muscles.
Lotus Spa
Ships: Royal Princess & Regal Princess
If you have been watching the ITV documentary, The Cruise Ship, you will have already been given a sneak peek into the Lotus Spa aboard the Royal Princess as the camera crew followed new girl and stylist Kelly. What the documentary didn’t show was the location of the spa: set directly in a central thermal suite, offering total temperature control. Treatment rooms within the spa include relaxing couples’ villas.
